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THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE: OLIVER
WINCHESTER'S FAMOUS CIVIL WAR SWORD, by Wiley Sword
It was perhaps the most important
firearm of its era. Tested and proved in the fiery crucible of
the Civil War, the Henry Rifle became the forerunner of the famous
line of Winchester Repeating Rifles that "Won the West."
To the amazed muzzleloader-armed Confederates who had to face
this deadly "sixteen shooter," it was "that damned
Yankee rifle that was loaded on Sunday and fired all week."
As a key technological innovation firing modern metallic cartridges,
the Henry Rifle helped dramatically change the nature of combat.
Yet, although a rifle of the future, it was beset with a bewildering
series of difficulties that impeded its widespread use. Here
is the fascinating story from the frustrations of early sales
efforts aimed at the government to the inspired purchase of the
Henry Rifle by veteran soldiers who wanted the best weapon -
no matter how high the cost. 104 pp., 7" x 10". Softcover
$29.95 + p/h
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